SARASOTA, Fla. -- A glowing pineapple is coming back to ring in the new year in southwest Florida.

Sarasota's traditional pineapple drop was scrubbed last year as organizers and sponsors fought over funding, security and other issues.

This year, local businesses formed a group to work with the event's longtime organizer.

Ernie Ritz has organized the event since 2000. He tells the Sarasota Herald-Tribune (http://bit.ly/YYoeMj ) that the New Year's Eve pineapple drop festivities will begin Monday afternoon and will include carnival rides and live music.

The pineapple will drop over downtown Sarasota's Main Street at midnight Monday.